So this varnasrama system is the (as Prabhupada has often described) scientific division which is designed by the Supreme Lord to group people according to their mentalities, so that they can function effectively for human society.
Lecture on SB 3.6.32 – About the Four Varnas – Vyasa Puja 2008 – 5th Jan'08 – Tirupati
In modern India they have this reservation system, that so many places in medical colleges should be reserved for people who are coming from the tribals and scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. Even without having proper qualification they enter the college and they become doctors, so-called—they are not fit. Just artificially you can’t make someone into a doctor if he doesn’t have capacity and capability; and attempts to do so in modern society is simply foolishness, not recognizing the differences between people. This is a major mistake in modern society.
Lecture on SB 3.6.32 – About the Four Varnas – Vyasa Puja 2008 – 5th Jan'08 – Tirupati
As Prabhupada often pointed out to those who argue that women and men should have exactly the same roles in the society, “Well, then why should the women only have children? Let’s make it all equal: one time the woman has the child, next time the man has the child.”
Lecture on SB 3.6.32 – About the Four Varnas – Vyasa Puja 2008 – 5th Jan'08 – Tirupati
"All men are equal; everyone is equal in all respects." It sounds very noble and wonderful and being fair to everyone, but actually it's not being fair; it's causing disturbance in the society by not recognizing the differences and trying to artificially make everyone equal. (Then) the man who is driving the rikshaw should become the Prime minister-but will anyone agree to that?
Lecture on SB 3.6.32 – About the Four Varnas – Vyasa Puja 2008 – 5th Jan'08 – Tirupati
To artificially state that all are equal in all respects ignores the reality that everyone is not equal in all respects. Some people have different mentalities and different capabilities which make them better suited for different kinds of occupation.
Lecture on SB 3.6.32 – About the Four Varnas – Vyasa Puja 2008 – 5th Jan'08 – Tirupati
If we say "Well, everyone should be at the same capacity," then what actually happens is that everyone comes down – standards come down – because not everyone can come up to the highest level.
Lecture on SB 3.6.32 – About the Four Varnas – Vyasa Puja 2008 – 5th Jan'08 – Tirupati
So the varnasrama system is the scientific division of society in which it is recognized that there are differences, and people are trained to act in a manner that is suitable for their ability and proclivity. And that is guided by the brahmanas, who understand that the purpose of human life is not simply production of goods and management of production of goods, but that's only to facilitate the actual goal of life, which is understanding what is Brahman – kim tad brahma kim adhyatma – to understand what is absolute truth, what is spirit.
Lecture on SB 3.6.32 – About the Four Varnas – Vyasa Puja 2008 – 5th Jan'08 – Tirupati
So the varnasrama system is a system of interface between material desires and necessities, and spiritual necessities, by engaging people according to their proclivity and ability and focusing that, channeling that, toward Krishna – understanding that everything here is temporary and therefore although our present proclivity may be towards producing goods or serving others, our real necessity of life is to understand Krishna.
Lecture on SB 3.6.32 – About the Four Varnas – Vyasa Puja 2008 – 5th Jan'08 – Tirupati
Under the guidance of the brahmanas in the varnasrama society, anyone performing work according to that can attain all perfection, by engaging his proclivity in the service of Krishna: sva karmana tam abhyarca siddhim vindati manavah. By worshiping the Supreme Lord by performance of their work, then everyone can achieve perfection.
Lecture on SB 3.6.32 – About the Four Varnas – Vyasa Puja 2008 – 5th Jan'08 – Tirupati
Instead of producing goods to be offered in yajna, if we simply produce goods for our sense gratification, then the very same activity of production (which by channeling toward the service of Visnu is purified), entangles us in this material life.
Lecture on SB 3.6.32 – About the Four Varnas – Vyasa Puja 2008 – 5th Jan'08 – Tirupati